0 THAILAND: SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT, HOW TO GET IN AND OUT OF THE CITY

It is indeed the biggest airport hub in Thailand. Suvarnabhumi Airport (IATA: BKK) pronounced as Suwannaphum opens on September 2006 for domestic and on international commercial flight after 14 days of operation. This airport earned as the most photographic airport award in the influx of social media like Instagram. And I would say that they have the best architecture in an H-Shaped. The roof is covered with glass panels and fantastic ceiling.

Suvarnabhumi is located in Racha Thewa or about 25 kilometers from downtown Bangkok. I heard the name was chosen by their incumbent King Bhumibol Adulyadej which means the golden kingdom. This is the 16th business airport in the world and 6th in Asia.

In 2014 recent survey, Suvarnabhumi is awarded as the Top3 in World’s Best Premium Service Airports.



After almost four hours of flying, I finally have the chance to see this Airport hub. And of course setting foot for my third country visit after Hongkong and Macau. Or I don’t know if you can consider the latter two as country, I think they’re just an administrative region of China. Whatever, I still have stamps on my passport.

Arriving in Thailand, it was my first time to see the gigantic A380. As the person with so much fondness of aircrafts, it feels so much excitement when I get the chance to see right before my eyes the biggest passenger plane in the world. Suvarnabhumi is the main hub of Thai Airways International that is known for different fleets both Airbus and Boeing.

When pilot announced that we may now alight the aircraft, I have this enthusiastic energy to get out and witness myself Thailand’s megastructure. They’re airport is really huge and it immediately sinks to your mind that you are in another country. Thailand flags are scattered everywhere at the airport plus their Sanskrit text.

We lined up immediately at the immigration counter, and since I’m a Philippine passport holder no need to present visa. ASEAN has an agreement that all travelers belong to ASEAN region will not require to apply visa and granted 30-day stay. 

This airport has a quite number of walkalators, or they call it travelators. It feels like you don’t have the chance anymore to walk by foot because of these lator-ish setups.  I’d like to believe that they have the most organized facilities, more counters open especially immigration.

The mural above in yellow-orange-blue colors is I guess the Suvarnabhumi Dowwadung which is the most import concept for Thai society.

Since we arrived past 12 midnight, we decided to jump out from the airport after spending short period time taking pictures inside the airport.

But when we bid goodbye in Thailand, I know I will have plenty of time to explore if possible the entire airport while waiting for boarding back in Manila.

Just like a promise, during our waiting period I wandered the passenger lounge and take photos of these beautiful and stunning gigantic figures of the airport. There are four-giants seem like guarding the place. They are called Yaksha – the Guardian Giants. If you already traveled the city, those faces will be familiar to you as the figures are scattered all over the region.


HERE ARE THE PHOTO GALLERY INSIDE THE  PASSENGER HALL:

After our five-day tour in Bangkok we finally set foot again at Suvarnabhumi airport to say our sweet goodbye to this beautiful country. Since we arrived early and while waiting for the window to open, I have the chance to go around and take photos. Their architectural remnants are all enveloped in golden charm.

And what I really want to see is this dragon. Before we arrived in Bangkok I was searching about Bangkok and I always see this charismatic three-headed dragon with four-arm figure standing in the middle. I thought I’m gonna see this on arrival but you will only have to chance to meet them on departure out from Bangkok.

HOW TO GET IN AND OUT OF THE CITY:

AIRPORT RAIL LINK: 

The best option to get in and out of downtown Bangok is via rail. It’s the fastest way to get in and out considering the hustle bustle traffic in the City. Express train leaves every 20 minutes going to Phaya Thai in 18-minute journey. Fare is 19 THB.  From Phaya Thai station, from there you can transfer around the city via BTS or Sky Train.

METERED TAXI: 

Taxis are located on the first floor of the arrivals area. Since we arrived past 12 midnight, we got no chance to ride the rail since the operation ends at exactly 12 MN. So we only take pink and yellow taxis to get into the city. You will be lined up at the taxi stand and let the dispatcher know where are you heading and then your destination will be written on a piece of paper that will be given out to the taxi driver. Please note that you have the right to say no if they will ask you for a flat rate. If the driver insists, then get out and let the dispatcher know. You will be paying extra 50 THB surcharge on top of your meter rate. I think that’s the driver fee. Since we booked hotel near Petchaburi our meter read almost 300 THB.